QB Brian Johnson (#3) stunned the Crimson Tide, 31-17, during the 75th Allstate Sugar Bowl.
If the name Brian Johnson does not mean anything to you, just ask the Alabama faithful. Back in the ’08 season, Johnson was the MVP quarterback who lead Utah to a shocking 31-17 victory over No. 4 Alabama in the BCS Sugar Bowl. The former QB, who stunned the Crimson Tide, is moving up the ranks in the coaching carousel from Utah quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator.
Johnson, at the ripe old age of 24, is taking over offensive duties from an experienced veteran coach in Norm Chow who took his talents to Hawaii. Utah replaced one of the most seasoned offensive minds with the youngest coordinator in all of college football.
“After spending the past month conducting a national search for an offensive coordinator, it became very apparent that we had the best candidate for the job right here on our own staff,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Brian is a leader and a special coaching talent, just as he was a special player, and he is the right person to lead our offense.”
Johnson finished his Utah career as the program’s winningest quarterback (26-7). Whittingham has high hopes that the young “veteran” can translate his success on the field to success on the sidelines and lead the Utes back to BCS glory.
